Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Glen Powell's 'The Running Man' Adaptation Lacks Depth, Becomes a Drag
Imagine a future where a big TV network runs a dangerous game show.
People sign up to run for their lives, and they are chased by bad guys!
If they survive each day, they get more money.
The movie stars a man named Ben, who joins the show to help his sick family.
He has to run and hide a lot, with some new friends helping him escape.
The story is based on a book written a long time ago, and it talks about how some people have a lot of money while others have very little, and how TV shows can distract people from real problems.
While the movie starts excitingly, the reviewer felt the main actor didn't show enough feelings, and the movie became boring later on.
The new film adaptation of Stephen King's 'The Running Man', set in 2025, stars Glen Powell as the protagonist Ben Richards.
The plot involves participants running for their lives in a deadly game show orchestrated by a villainous Network boss and hosted by a lively emcee.
The film attempts to mirror the societal inequality and propaganda themes from Stephen King's 1982 novella.
Despite a strong start and the efforts of a supporting cast including Josh Brolin and Michael Cera, the film is criticized for a lack of depth.
Reviewer found Glen Powell's performance lacked the necessary depth, causing the film to become a 'drag' after its initial promising pace.
- Who
- Glen Powell as Ben Richards, a participant in a deadly game show.
- What
- A new adaptation of Stephen King's 'The Running Man' where participants run for their lives while being hunted.
- When
- The film is set in 2025, the year King originally set the book.
- Where
- In a dystopian society with stark class divides, ruled by a totalitarian regime and a media network.
- Why
- Ben Richards participates to win prize money for his family, while the Network uses the show as a form of mass entertainment and control.
Positive Aspects
Negative Aspects
Premise and Initial Pacing
Positive Aspects
The film begins well, setting up a compelling scenario with high stakes and an engaging premise inspired by Stephen King's novella.
Negative Aspects
Despite a strong start, the film's momentum falters, and it eventually becomes a tedious experience for the viewer.
Actor Performances
Positive Aspects
The supporting cast, including Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, and Michael Cera, contribute to the narrative and add moments of interest.
Negative Aspects
Glen Powell, as the lead, lacks the necessary depth to convey the emotional weight of his character's plight, hindering the film's impact.
Thematic Relevance
Positive Aspects
The film effectively captures the prescient themes of Stephen King's original work, touching upon societal inequality and propaganda machines relevant to contemporary society.
Negative Aspects
While the themes are present, the film fails to explore them with sufficient depth, ultimately undercutting their potential impact.
- Based on
- Stephen King's 1982 novella 'The Running Man'
- Director
- Edgar Wright
- Starring
- Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Lee Pace, Jayme Lawson, William H. Macy
- Original Novella Publication Year
- 1982
- Film Setting Year
- 2025
- Rating
- 2.5 stars